The bookshelves are a mess! March 31, 2008
The Lester Public Library is hosting a book straightening party! Volunteers age 15 and up may volunteer and enjoy free pizza after! Another great idea from the Lester Public Library.
I read these titles today… March 31, 2008
Title: Curious You on Your Way
Author: Illustrated by H.A. Ray
Published: 4/08
Read on: 3/31/08
Notes: Perfect for the graduate
Schu’s rating: Four 
out of four
Publisher’s description:
Curious You: On Your Way! is a perfect sendoff for children of all ages entering a new phase of their lives. Follow along with George in classic scenes from many of his original books as he provides words of congratulations and encouragement to anyone who has accomplished much but still has many things to see, to do, and to dream! The ideal gift book for a graduation, a promotion, or any occasion, Curious You: On Your Way! helps to celebrate all of the milestones of our lives. This inspirational story reminds readers young and old who are moving up or moving on that they have a special someone cheering for them as far as their curiosity can take them!
Title: The Rubber -Legged Ducky
Author: John G. Keller
ISBN: 978-0152052898
Published: 4/08
Read on: 3/31/08
Notes: Perfect for an elementary unit on fitting in and self-esteem.
Schu’s rating: Three out of four
Publisher’s Description:
Five is different than all the other ducklings. He doesn’t quack, and he never waddles. Instead, he bounces. And bing-boings! Being different isn’t always easy for Five, but boy oh boy, having an extra spring and s-t-r-e-t-c-h in his step sure comes in handy when an unwelcome (and hungry) visitor comes creeping.
Fur and feathers fly and the underduckling prevails in this hilarious barnyard yarn.
Title: Rabbit and Squirrel: A Tale of War and Peas
Author: Kara LaReau
ISBN: 978-0152063078
Published: 5/08
Read on: 3/31/08
Notes: The perfect elementary school book to show the importance of friendship and getting along with others.
Schu’s rating: Four out of four
Publisher’s description:
Rabbit loves her garden. Squirrel loves his. But then their delicious vegetables begin disappearing. And they have only each other to blame . . . or do they? Well, Rabbit and Squirrel don’t pause to consider any other possibilities. And so, for them, there’s only one option: WAR! From the team that hatched the award-winning Ugly Fish, here is a hilarious cautionary tale about how jumping to conclusions can turn minor misunderstandings into major meltdowns.
Check out this 17 month old reading! March 31, 2008
Elizabeth Barrett is to all appearances your standard 17-month-old girl, complete with wisps of gossamer hair so blond it’s almost white and the unsteady gait that is the definition of a toddler. As her parents and two other adults talk earnestly around her, she paws through a couple of large-format children’s books on a table, blissfully unaware of the conversation around her.
Then TODAY’s Ann Curry holds up a sheet of paper with the word “HAPPY” printed in big, block letters and asks Elizabeth to read it.
“Hap-py,” Elizabeth chirps without hesitation, enunciating each syllable in a bright little voice.
Visit The Today Show to read the rest of the article and to see a video of Elizabeth reading. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/23556514?GT1=43001
Library Cats :) March 30, 2008
Debbie Williams, a media specialist in Alabama, posted on LM_Net about her library cat, Tigger. (He’s the adorable black and white cat posing for his school picture.) She says at age 13 he mainly sleeps and does not roam the library too much, but makes quite the fuss when he does! :) He has his own mailbox and the students just adore him. Lou Grant, my cat, would love to come to the library with me but I would not leave him there. I wonder how Debbie’s school library deals with pet allergies? Iron Frog Productions has an entire section dedicated to library cats. I’ve had so much fun exploring the various library cats. Wow! Thank you, Debbie! http://www.ironfrog.com/catsmap.html
Ladybug Girl March 30, 2008
Title: Ladybug Girl
Author: David Somar and Jacky Davis (they are married)
Published: 4/08
ISBN: 9780803731950
Schu’s rating: Three out of four
Lulu, the Ladybug Girl, is on her own in the morning and has “nothing” to do! Her condescending brother will not play with her because she’s too small. She and Bingo, a basset hound, head out to alleviate boredom. As shown in so many other children’s books, she encounters situations that show her imagination and a shift to a braver character. Children will love this book. Its sequel, Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy, comes out in 2009.
The Juggling Pug March 30, 2008
Title: The Juggling Pug
Author: Sean Bryan
Notes: picture book and recommended for ages 4-8.
Schu’s Rating: Three out of four
What if a pug could juggle? Would he become the talk of the town, hugged by everyone? What if this clever, mischievous pug was also messy, digging holes here and pooping there? Would fame help or only make things worse? From the award-winning authors of A Boy and His Bunny comes an amusing tale, told in wacky rhymes and witty illustrations, that is sure to entertain young readers, and their parents, too.
Recommended Reading List March 30, 2008
The screenshot explains it all. The lists are well organized and fairly current.
Visuwords: Online Graphical Dictionary March 29, 2008
Visuwords is a free online graphical dictionary that creates word diagrams. I entered library and it located the various meanings and associations with the word. If you hold your mouse over one of the circles it will provide the definition.
I visited the Mishawaka Public Library Today, Part Two March 28, 2008
Solo trip to see HRC in Mishawaka, originally uploaded by Litandmore.
DANGER? A bit much, eh?
I visited the Mishawaka Library Today March 28, 2008
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Solo trip to see HRC in Mishawaka, originally uploaded by Litandmore.
National Library Week: Reference Desk March 27, 2008
How do you undo nerve gas?” “How do you make rope out of human hair?” “Would you mind checking out this rash?” These and other burning reference questions are answered in this National Library Week (April 13-19) homage to the 7.2 million questions answered weekly by the nation’s public and academic librarians. Starring Shad Kunkle and shot at lovely Morton College Library in Cicero, Illinois. See more at alfocus.ala.org.
Delft Public Library March 26, 2008
Jenny Levine, The Shifted Librarian, visited the Delft Public Library which goes by the name DOK. She describes her perceptions of the library @ http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/03/19/visiting-the-most-modern-library-in-the-world.html. I want to apply so many of the concepts to my school library and cannot wait to share the images with my students. Below are some of my favorite DOK images.
Banana Twinkies March 26, 2008
I could not resist posting about Banana Twinkies. Last summer my friend Donna and I went on a 5,500 mile road trip. One of her favorite memories is devouring a Banana Twinkie.
Back by popular demand, banana cream-filled Twinkies return to shelves. According to Wikipedia, the Twinkie was invented in 1930 and originally contained a banana cream filling that was replaced with a vanilla version during a banana shortage caused by World War II. Formerly only available for special promotions, the banana version is now here to stay.
More Twinkie fun facts:
- About five hundred million Twinkies are produced each year
- Twinkies don’t last forever–the shelf life of a Twinkie is about 25 days
- Bill Clinton chose a Twinkie as an “object of enduring American symbolism” for the National Millennium Time Capsule in 2000
- In Latin America and Mexico, Twinkies are sold under the name “Submarinos” and come in regular or strawberry flavors
Want more mileage out of your Twinkies? Hostess.com offers tons of weird and wonderful Twinkie recipes including Twinkie smores, Twinkie tacos, Twinkie-misu, and Twinkie sushi.
Article found at http://www.aldenteblog.com/2008/03/bananas-for-twi.html.
